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Legalize Abortion in Chile

Chile is – and hopefully soon to be was –one of four countries (Chile, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and El Salvador) in the Latin American region that completely bans abortion, and one of six globally. The penalty for receiving an abortion in Chile can include jail time of up tofive years. There is also apossibility of jail time for any individual who administers an abortion. In Chile, women may suffer punitive measures that only serve to further extend their pain, and medical professionals who offer abortions do so at significant risk to themselves.

But finally, it seems the women of Chile will have hope that they have not had since1989, when the ban was implemented. As it stands, 70 percent of Chileans support this bill. In 2015, as seen in the graphic below, provided by the Chilean government, President Bachelet released a bill which will allow abortions in certain instances.

The passage of this bill is a victory for Michelle Bachelet, who has championed it throughout her presidency, and will leave office inMarch of next year. Bachelet’s leadership has been successful in creating substantial progress for Chilean women. Shecreated the Women and Gender Equality Ministry, which has four focuses in the protection of women:from violence, in their equality in the workplace, in their sexuality and reproductive rights, and in their political participation. Bachelet has admirably created a governmental organization dedicated to improving women’s rights in Chile, and while I hope for increased access to abortion and rights in the future, her bill is a step in the right direction regardless of the court’s decision.